Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


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■ 
.9*1 


THE 


DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA 


THE  CONQUEST  OF  THE  MOORS 


BY  THE  SPANIARDS. 


PUBLISHED 

125  Park  Avenue,  between  41st  and  426.  Sts., 
NEW  YORK  CITY. 
Printed  by  the  Birnie  Paper  Company. 
Springfield,  Mass. 


AN  OUT-GROWTH  OF 


PREFACE. 


That  the  general  public,  and  especially  the  young  of  our  land 
may  possess  in  condensed  form,  and  become  thoroughly  familiar 
with  the  causes  which  lead  to  the  discovery  of  America  by  Chris- 
topher Columbus  in  1492,  out  of  which  grew  the  revival  and  final 
establishment  of  the  Heliocentric  system,  and  also  the  Government 
of  the  United  States,  proves  the  incentive  for  the  publication  of 
this  work. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1883. 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA. 


The  discovery  of  America  by  Christopher  Columbus,  was  an 
out-growth  of  the  conquest  of  the  Moors,  by  the  Spaniards. 

The  Moors,  commanded  by  Arabian  officers,  expelled  the 
Visigoths  from  Andalusia,  south  Spain,  in  the  year  711,  and 
established  the  Kingdom  of  Cordova,  which  they  held  until  the 
year  1236.  During  the  eighth  century  they  also  founded  Granada, 
which  at  first,  constituted  a  part  of  the  Kingdom  of  Cordova. 

Under  the  administration  of  the  Mohammedan  Emirs,  Cordova 
became  the  seat  of  learning  and  refinement.  Great  encouragement 
was  given  to  the  study  of  Mathematics,  Chemistry  and  the  Physical 
Sciences  ;  the  works  of  Aristotle,  Hippocrates  and  Ptolemy  Syntax, 
were  translated  into  Arabic,  and  became  the  authority  of  Saracen 
Astronomy,  and  of  Medicine. 

In  its  days  of  prosperity  Cordova  contained  orer  two  hundred 

5 


thousand  houses,  and  a  population  of  over  one  million.  The  palaces 
of  the  Khalif  were  built  of  marble  and  stone,  with  polished  marble 
balconies  overhanging  orange  gardens  and  bowers  of  roses;  with 
court-yards  containing  winding  paths,  ornamented  with  fountains  of 
quick-silver  and  cascades  of  water. 

The  interiors  of  the  palaces  were  magnificently  decorated,  the 
furniture  was  of  citron  and  sandal  wood,  inlaid  with  gold,  silver, 
mother-of-pearl,  Malachite  and  lapis-lazuli. 

In  the  year  1236,  King  Alhama  made  Granada  the  capitol  of 
his  new  Kingdom  of  Granada,  encompassing  tfoe  city  by  a  massive 
wall,  surmounted  by  over  one  thousand  towers. 

The  Vaga  embraced  several  miles  of  land,  upon  which  was 
raised  the  various  products  for  the  sustenance  of  the  people. 

Upon  one  of  the  hills,  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  was  erected 
the  celebrated  Alhambra,  as  a  warriors'  castle  and  palace  of  the 
Moorish  kings,  which  was  capable  of  containing  a  garrison  of  forty 
thousand  men. 

The  palaces,  mosques  and  other  private  and  public  buildings 
were  finished  in  stone,  the  floors  were  laid  in  mosaic  and  variegated 
marbles,  the  side  walls  were  of  porcelain  tiles,  laid  in  various  colors, 
ornamented  with  medallions  of  fruits,  flowers  and  heraldic  devices ; 
they  were  also  stuccoed  and  ornamented  with  arabesques  of  the  most 
elegant  and  intricate  designs,  characteristic  of  this  cultivated  and 
refined  Mohammedan  people.  The  ceilings  were  decorated  in  fret 
work,  with  panels  and  heavy  moulded  cornices  painted  in  white  and 

6 


gold,  and  frescoed  in  bright  and  beautiful  colors.  The  architecture 
of  the  whole  city  was  exquisite  and  refined. 

The  beauties  of  Granada  were  likened  unto  a  marble  vase  of 
pure  gems,  overflowing  with  dew-drops,  sparkling  in  the  rays  of  the 
morning  sun. 

The  Moors  were  a  cultivated  people,  living  in  Asiatic  luxury, 
within  an  atmosphere  of  scholarly  attainment  and  exquisite  refine- 
ment, speaking  the  highest  order  of  mellow  and  entrancing  Arabic, 
extremely  fond  of  dress,  and  possessing  an  enduring  passion  for 
ornaments. 

The  armor  of  the  Moorish  cavaliers  was  encrusted  with  gold 
and  silver,  chased  in  elegant  designs  ■  the  sheaths  of  the  cimeters 
were  richly  enamelled,  and  the  blades  of  Damascus  steel  were 
elaborately  emblazoned,  and  their  belts  were  inlaid  with  ornamental 
figures  in  enamel. 

The  Arabian  steeds  of  the  Moorish  Chivalry  were  gorgeously 
caparisoned  in  rich  velvets  of  various  colors,  ornamented  with  gold 
and  silver,  and  interwoven  with  silken  braid. 

The  women  of  Granada  lived  in  the  height  of  luxury  and 
magnificence,  they  wore  anklets,  bracelets,  ear-rings  and  girdles  of 
gold,  wrought  with  exquisite  art  and  delicacy,  studded  with 
diamonds,  rubies,  emeralds  and  other  precious  gems ;  their  long  and 
luxuriant  hair  flowed  in  tresses  beautifully  decorated  with  precious 
stones,  neatly  set  in  golden  filagree ;  their  features  were  of  classic 
mould ;  they  were  finely  formed  and  fully  developed,  and  their 

7 


physical  beauty  was  entrancing;  they  were  graceful  in  their  manners, 
facinating  in  their  conversation,  and  their  bright  sparkling  eyes,  and 
teeth  of  pearly  whiteness  glittering  through  ruby  lips,  gave  to  their 
countenances  an  expression  of  sweet,  sympathetic  and  enduring  love. 

The  Moors  and  Spaniards  took  great  delight  in  waging  partisan 
war  upon  each  other. 

The  attack  made  by  Abul  Hassen,  December  26th,  1481,  upon 
the  fortress  of  Zahara,  and  the  taking  of  its  people  prisoners, 
resulted  in  the  Marquis  of  Cadiz'  storming  and  taking  at  the  dead 
of  night,  the  Moorish  castle  and  city  of  Alhama. 

Upon  the  Spanish  troops  rallying  to  defend  Alhama  from  being 
reconquered,  the  news  reaching  King  Ferdinand,  he  made  immediate 
preparations  and  hastened  on  to  take  charge  of  the  army,  and 
Isabella  followed  after  him  and  soon  joined  him  at  Cordova. 

Ferdinand  and  Isabella  had  long  awaited  a  pretext  for  inaugura- 
ting a  Christian  war  of  extermination  against  the  Mohammedan 
Moors  and  the  wealthy  Jews  residing  in  the  Moorish  kingdom. 

The  marriage  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  consolidated  the  Span- 
ish Empire,  and  destroyed  the  factions,  which  enabled  them  to  bring 
into  the  field  of  war  the  troops  of  Castile  and  Aragon  and  their 
dependencies,  for  the  prosecution  of  their  Christian  faith. 

Christopher  Columbus  was  born  about  the  year  1435,  m  tne  cltY 
of  Genoa,  Italy,  and  followed  the  life  of  a  mariner.  Hearing  of  the 
discoveries  made  by  Marco  Polo,  a  Venetian,  during  his  journey 

eastward,  overland,  in  the  twelfth  century;  in  eastern  and  central 

8 


Asia,  and  his  navigation  on  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  along  the  shores 
of  India,  and  of  the  discoveries  made  in  Africa  by  the  Portugese 
King  Henry,  coupled  with  his  correspondence  with  Toscanelli, 
a  learned  cosmographer,  led  Columbus  to  believe  the  earth  a  sphere. 

He  formed  the  conclusion  that  if  Marco  Polo  reached  India, 
the  Kingdom  of  the  Grand  Khan  of  Tartary,  by  traveling  eastward, 
he  could  certainly  reach  the  opposite  coast  of  India,  by  sailing 
westward.  Columbus  supposed  he  would  first  reach  the  Island  of 
Zapango,  (Japan),  which  island  Marco  Polo  had  placed  opposite 
China,  five  hundred  leagues  out  in  the  ocean,  and  about  fifteen 
hundred  miles  from  the  Indian  coast. 

It  was  the  zeal,  born  of  earnest  and  unswerving  purpose,  which 
reflected  Columbus'  true  character  and  greatness.  Imbued  with  the 
belief  that  he  was  God's  chosen  instrument  to  prove  the  sphericity 
of  the  earth  he  constantly  importuned  the  Governments  of  his  day 
for  needed  assistance,  until  wearying  from  repeated  rebuff,  he  visited 
Spain,  and  was  informed  by  the  Duke  of  Medina  Celi  that  Isabella, 
Queen  of  Spain,  had  requested  him  to  visit  her  at  Cordova. 

On  his  arrival  at  Cordova  he  found  the  Queen,  surrounded  by 
prelates  and  officers  of  the  army,  so  engaged  that  she  could  not  give 
him  an  audience  and  he  became  the  guest  of  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla. 

At  about  this  time  the  elder  Sultana,  Ayxa,  became  very  jealous 

of  Zoraya,  or  the  "  Morning  Star,"  the  young  and  favorite  sultana 

of  the  king,  Abul  Hassen,  fearing  lest  her  son,  Boabdela,  would  be 

superceded  by  the  offspring  of  Zoraya. 

10 


The  ill-feeling  existing  between  the  Sultanas  led  to  the  form- 
ation of  two  factions,  and  terminated  in  a  rebellion  during  which 
the  streets  of  Granada  flowed  with  the  blood  of  the  Moors. 

Ferdinand  encouraged  the  feud,  on  behalf  of  Ayxa,  and  Abul 
Hassen  and  his  young  family  were  expelled  from  Granada,  and 
Boabdela  was  proclaimed  king. 

Large  numbers  of  troops  were  now  summoned  to  the  seat  of 
war,  and  vigorous  preparations  were  made  for  the  prosecution  of  the 
same,  and  owing  to  the  internal  feuds  of  the  Moors  and  the  imbecil- 
ity of  Boabdela,  Ferdinand  was  enabled  to  attack  their  castles,  one 
by  one,  and  by  the  use  of  gunpowder  and  heavy  Lombards,  the 
Moorish  castles,  cities  and  vagas  fell  to  the  conquering  Spaniards. 

Columbus,  after  waiting  seven  years,  and  suffering  great 
disappointments  succeeded  in  having  his  theory  discussed  at  a 
meeting  of  prelates  and  learned  men,  at  the  convent  of  St.  Stephens, 
at  Salamanca,  but  his  theory  of  the  world's  being  a  sphere  was 
condemned. 

They  ridiculed  the  theory  of  antipodes,  with  their  heads 
hanging  downwards,  it  being  contrary  to  the  belief  of  their 
theologians  and  philosophers,  and  in  violation  of  their  sacred  scrip- 
tures. They  argued  that  if  the  world  was  round,  then  a  yessel 
attempting  to  make  the  ascent  of  the  sphere  would  fall  off  into  space. 

They  also  argued  that  the  earth  was  a  flat  surface,  bordered  by 

the  waters  of  the  sea,  on  the  yielding  support  of  which  rested  the 

crystalline  dome  of  the  sky,  and  the  sun,  moon  and  planets,  were 

1 1 


a  subordinate  nature,  their  use  being  to  give  light  to  man  who  was 
elevated  to  supreme  important  e.  The  Patristic  Geography  had 
governed  the  Christian  church  for  twelve  centuries,  and  was  its 
authority  for  rejecting  the  theory  of  the  sphericity  of  the  earth. 

Columbus  defended  his  theory  nobly  and  with  religious  fervor, 
but  the  derision  was  unfavorable  to  him. 

The  ancient  philosophers  and  astronomers  introduced  various 
theories  regarding  the  sphericity  of  the  earth  and  the  manner  of  its 
revolution.  The  Heliocentric  theory,  taught  by  Pythagoras,  about 
five  hundred  and  fifty  years,  B.  C,  placed  the  sun  as  the  centre 
round  which, with  the  other  planets,  the  earth  revolved,  in  circular  or- 
bits, each  supposed  to  rotate  on  its  axis  as  it  revolved  round  the  sun. 

This  theory  was  accepted  by  Aristarchus  of  Samos,  about  three 
hundred  and  fifty  years.  B.  C,  and  was  superceded  by  the  Geocen- 
tric system  of  Ptolemy,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  years,  A.  D., 
which  system  placed  the  earth  in  the  centre,  fixed  in  space,  the  sun 
and  the  other  planets  revolving  round  it,  thus  giving  the  earth  the 
position  of  superiority.  This  theory  was  accepted  by  a  large  portion 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  for  fourteen  centuries. 

No  advancement  was  made  -toward  establishing  the  theories  of 
the  ancients,  or  the  Geography  of  the  earth,  or  the  science  of 
Astronomy,  until  the  advent  of  Columbus  and  his  discovery  of 
America  in  1492,  and  the  circumnavigation  of  the  earth  by  Magellen 
in  15  21,  which  proved  its  sphericity,  and  whose  circumference  is 
about  tweQty-five  thousand  miles. 

1 2 


The  chains  which  bound  Physical  Science  and  Astronomy  for 
thousands  of  years,  were,  through  his  fearless  spirit  and  intrepid 
action,  not  only  rent  asunder,  through  the  discovery  of  America, 
which  proved  the  sphericity  of  the  earth,  but  it  opened  the  way  for 
the  introduction  of  the  Heliocentric  system. 

This  system  was  awakened  into  life  by  Copernicus  in  the 
sixteenth  century,  and  was  adopted  by  Kepler,  who  introduced  the 
principle  of  Gravity  without  discovering  its  practical  application. 

Copernicus  and  Kepler  labored  under  the  same  difficulty  as  the 
ancient  astronomers,  they  having  no  telescope  to  assist  them  in 
proving  the  truths  of  their  theories.  Thus  the  theory  of  revolution 
and  attraction  of  Gravitation  was  left  for  Galileo  and  Sir  Isaac 
Newton  to  demonstrate  their  truths. 

In  the  year  1609,  Lippershey,  a  Dutchman,  made  a  small 
telescope.  Galileo  hearing  of  it  and  realizing  the  importance  it 
would  be  to  him  in  discovering  the  solar  system,  made  one  of  a 
magnifying  power  of  three,  and  finally  succeeded  in  making  one 
that  magnified  thirty  times,  with  which,  in  1610  he  discovered  the 
four  satelites  of  Jupiter  revolving  in  orbits  round  that  planet,  and 
also  that  Venus  in  her  motion  round  the  sun,  showed  phases  like  the 
moon.  Further  observation  showed  him  that  the  earth  and  each  of 
the  planets  rotated  on  its  axis  as  it  revolved  in  an  eliptical  orbit  round 
the  sun,  which  was  the  centre  and  attractive  force  of  the  system. 

Such  important  discoveries  made  by  Galileo,  and  those  that 

followed  soon  after,  fully  supported  the  system  of  Copernicus. 

J3 


Sir  Isaac  Newton  is  <  rowncd  with  the  honor  of  demonstrating 
the  theory  of  the  attraction  of  (Cavitation,  and  his  name  became 
immortalized  by  the  production  of  his  great  work,  "  Principia,"  in 
the  year  1686. 

We  will  now  return  to  Columbus,  and  his  efforts  to  obtain  aid 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  his  theories  and  convictions. 

The  King  and  Queen,  despite  the  decision  of  the  learned  men 
at  Salamanca,  saw  the  advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  discovery  of 
a  new  and  direct  route  to  the  Indies,  and  if  successful  the  gain 
would  be  incalculable,  as  the  Kingdom  of  the  Grand  Khan  of 
Tartary  was  supposed  to  abound  in  gold,  silver  and  precious  stones, 
and  to  contain  inexhaustible  wealth,  which  would   inure  to  the 

benefit  of  Spain. 

They  also  saw  that  such  a  discovery  would  add  to  the  glory  ot 
their  reign,  and  their  country,  and  aid  in  the  extension  of  their 
Christian  faith,  and  fearing  that  Columbus  might  seek  the  assistance 
of  some  other  government,  they  promised  him  that  his  project 
should  receive  attention  as  soon  as  the  Moors  were  conquered  and 
expelled  from  Granada. 

Columbus,  disappointed,  left  the  Court  of  Spain,  with  the 
intention  of  laying  his  project  before  the  King  of  France.  On  his 
way  thence,  arriving  at  the  gate  of  the  Convent  of  Santa  Maria  de 
Rabida,  he  asked  for  bread  and  water  for  himself  and  his  child,  he 
there  met  the  prior,  Juan  Parez,  to  whom  he  stated  his  project. 
The  prior  became  interested  in  his  theory,  and  introduced  him  to 

14 


Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  a  wealthy  navigator,  who  upon  hearing 
Columbus*  explanation,  became  convinced  of  his  ability  to  accom- 
plish the  voyage,  and  offered  to  bear  one-eighth  of  the  expense  of 
such  an  expedition. 

Columbus  was  urged  to  remain  at  Palos,  whilst  the  prior,  who 
at  one  time  had  been  the  Queen's  Confessor,  should  see  her. 

The  prior's  representations  to  the  Queen  induced  her  to  invite 
Columbus  to  appear  at  court,  and  she  sent  him  twenty  thousand 
maravedus,  a  sum  equivalent  to  about  $60,  to  renovate  his  wardrobe 
and  to  defray  his  traveling  expenses. 

Columbus  arrived  at  the  court  at  the  time  the  surrender  of 
Granada  was  being  consummated.  Boabdela,  the  last  of  the 
Moorish  kings,  gave  up  the  keys  of  the  Alhambra  to  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella,  and  thus  after  a  war  of  nearly  800  J  ears,  the  Mohammedan 
Moors  surrendered  to  the  Christian  Spaniards,  amidst  great  rejoic- 
ings and  festivities.  But  the  greatest  soul  of  all  amid  the  throng  was 
Columbus,  impatiently  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  offer  to  Spain 
a  much  greater  conquest  than  all  the  Moorish  possessions  in  Europe, 
Africa  or  Asia. 

Granada  being  conquered  and  the  Moors  expelled,  the  time  had 
now  arrived  when  the  plans  of  Columbus,  according  to  promise, 
must  receive  attention,  but  when  the  conditions  under  which  he 
would  undertake  the  expedition  came  to  be  discussed,  his  demands 
for  titles  and  privileges  were  princely,  and  in  the  eyes  of  the  Court, 
so  extravagant  that  his  terms  and  propositions  were  refused,  and  as 


16 


Columbus  would  not  waver,  and  would  not  listen  to  any  other  terms, 
he  left  the  Court  with  the  intention  of  visiting  the  King  of  France. 

St.  Angel  and  Alonzo  Quintanilla  described  to  the  Queen  the 
great  wealth  that  would  flow  to  Spain  through  the  discovery  of  India 
at  the  small  outlay  of  15000  Florins  (Columbus  having  agreed  to 
furnish  one-eighth  of  the  money),  and  would  far  exceed  the  dis- 
coveries made  by  other  nations,  and  would  open  between  Spain  and 
•India,  a  commerce  of  great  value  to  the  church  and  to  Spain,  and 
if  not  successful  the  loss  would  be  nominal. 

They  also  plead  the  cause  of  Columbus  with  such  zeal  that  the 
enthusiastic  and  generous  spirit  of  Isabella  was  aroused.  The  King 
coldly  attempted  to  dissuade  her  from  the  idea,  which  caused 
Isabella  to  exclaim,  "  I  undertake  the  enterprise  for  my  own  crown 
of  Castile,  and  will  pledge  my  jewels  to  raise  the  necessary  funds." 

The  funds,  about  fifteen  thousand  Florins,  were  advanced  by 
St.  Angel,  receiver  of  the  ecclesiastical  revenues  of  Aragon,  and 
were  afterwards  repaid  out  of  the  first  gold  brought  by  Columbus 
from  the  new  world. 

Columbus  had  proceeded  about  six  miles  from  Granada,  when 
he  was  overtaken  by  a  messenger  from  the  Queen  requesting  him  to 
return.  Upon  his  appearing  again  at  Court,  the  kind  reception  he 
received  from  the  Queen  atoned  for  past  neglect. 

An  agreement  was  then  drawn  up  by  the  Royal  Secretary, 
which  the  King  and  Queen  signed  on  the  17th  of  April,  1492, 
whereby  it  was  stipulated  that  Columbus  should  have  the  office  of 

17 


Admiral  in  all  lands  and  countries  which  he  might  discover,  that  he 
and  his  descendents  were  to  receive  the  title  of  u  Don,"  and 
that  he  was  to  be  Viceroy  and  Governor  General  of  such  lands  and 
countries,  and  have  one-tenth  of  the  net  profits  arising  from  gold 
and  silver  and  all  articles  of  merchandize,  in  whatever  manner 
obtained.  He  had  the  further  privilege  of  furnishing  one-eighth 
the  cost  of  the  expedition,  and  if  he  did  so,  he  was  to  receive  one- 
eighth  of  the  profits.  This  latter  condition  Columbus  fulfilled, 
through  the  assistance  of  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon. 

A  ro>al  order  was  given,  directing  the  authorities  of  Palos  to 
furnish  and  equip  two  caravels.  This  order  was  disobeyed.  Horror 
and  dismay  filled  the  minds  of  the  sailors  as  they  felt  it  would  be 
certain  death  to  enter  the  mysteries  of  the  sea,  and  they  refused  to 
embark  on  the  expedition. 

Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  and  his  two  brothers,  seeing  the  difficulty 
attending  the  procuring  of  the  vessels  and  crews,  came  forward  and 
furnished  one  vessel  and  crew  thoroughly  equipped  and  ready  for 
sea.  This  induced  others  to  consent  to  go,  and  they  then  succeeded 
in  obtaining  the  other  two  vessels,  and  all  were  ready  for  sea  on  the 
first  day  of  August,  1492. 

The  Santa  Maria  was  commanded  by  Columbus,  the  Pinta  by 
Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  (with  his  brother  Francisco  Martin,  as  pilot), 
and  the  Nina  by  Vincente  Yanez  Pinzon. 

The  fleet  consisted  of  the  three  small  vessels  just  named,  two 

being  without  decks,  of  fifty  tons  each,  and  the  other  being  of  eighty 

18 


tons  burden.  In  all  there  were  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  on 
the  expedition,  of  whom  ninety  were  sailors. 

When  the  squadron  was  ready  to  sail,  Columbus,  his  officers  and 
crews  confessed  to  Juan  Parez,  and  partook  of  the  sacrament. 

On  Friday  morning,  August  3d,  1492,  the  expedition  sailed 
from  Palos. 

Columbus  and  his  companions  proceeded  on  their  voyage  of 
discovery,  meeting  with  many  disappointments  and  hardships,  and 
as  they  entered  into  unknown  regions  fear  and  trembling  overcame 
all  except  Columbus.  The  strength  given  to  him  came  from  his 
great  faith,  he  felt  that  he  was  under  the  protection  and  guidance  of 
the  Almighty. 

Columbus  was  so  sanguine  that  he  should  reach  India,  that  he 
carried  with  him  a  letter  from  Ferdinand,  King  of  Spain,  to  the 
Grand  Khan  of  Tartary. 

On  the  13th  of  September  he  was  startled  to  find  that  the 
needle  of  his  compass  varied  between  five  and  six  degrees  to  the 
northwest  and  no  longer  pointed  to  the  pole.  This  phenomenon  of 
magnetic  declination  produced  great  alarm  among  the  mariners,  for 
without  the  guide  of  their  compass,  what  was  to  become  of  them  in 
a  vast  and  trackless  ocean  ?  Columbus  invented  a  plausible  theory 
about  the  attraction  of  the  polar  star,  which  quieted  the  pilot's  fears. 

Columbus  suppressed  the  mutinous  tendency  of  the  crews  with 
extraordinary  tact,  and  afterwards  upon  great  flights  of  birds  hover- 
ing about  their  vessels,  they  became  reconciled  and  felt  they  must 

*9 


be  near  land.  On  the  night  of  the  nth  of  October,  Columbus 
beheld  a  moving  light  which  was  seen  several  times,  but  at  last  dis- 
appeared.   This  light  was  probably  upon  Waiting's  Island. 

On  the  morning  of  October  12th,  1492,  land  was  discovered, 
and  all  hearts  were  filled  with  joy  and  gladness.  Columbus  fell 
upon  his  knees  and  thanked  his  Maker  that  He  had  given  him  the 
strength  and  fortitude  which  enabled  him  to  overcome  all  obstacles, 
and  that  he  had  blessed  him  with  success  in  discovering  what  he 
thought  to  be  India,  the  Kingdom  of  the  Grand  Khan. 

A.s  they  approached  the  land,  the  air  was  soft  and  balmy,  and 
the  breez.es  ladened  with  sweet  fragrance,  perfumed  the  transparent 
atmosphere. 

The  island  on  which  they  landed  was  one  of  the  Bahama  group 
and  Columbus  named  it  San  Salvador.  Its  inhabitants  were  nude, 
finely  and  beautifully  formed,  graceful  in  their  manners,  and  strange 
and  interesting  in  their  habits.  -They  were  apparently  an  amiable, 
innocent  and  happy  people,  who  at  first  thought  that  Columbus' 
fleet  of  vessels  were  large  birds,  and  that  their  sails  were  wings,  and 
that  Columbus  and  his  crews  had  descended  from  the  skies. 

Thus  the  conquest  of  the  Moors  by  the  Spaniards,  led  Queen 
Isabella  to  furnish  seven-eighths  of  the  funds  required  to  fit  out  the 
expedition  of  Columbus,  which  resulted  in  his  discovery,  on  Friday, 
the  12th  day  oi  October,  1492,  of  what  he  supposed  to  be  a  portion 
of  the  continent  of  India,  (hence  he  denominated  the  natives 
-  Indians"),  when  in  reality  his  discovery  was  that  of  America. 


SUPPLEMENT. 


At  an  expense  of  15000  florins,  Columbus  gave  to  the  world  America,  out  01 
which  has  grown  the  United  States,  whose  population  exceeds  55,000,000,  which 
with  its  yearly  influx  of  from  three  to  four  hundred  thousand  imigrants,  coupled 
with  its  native  increase,  invites  the  prediction,  that  during  the  next  twenty  years, 
her  population  will  approximate  one  hundred  million. 

Its  Constitution,  which  declares  that  "  We  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
«'in  order  to  forma  more  perfect  union,  establish  justice,  insure  domestic  tran- 
"(juility,  provide  for  the  common  defence,  promote  the  general  welfare,  and 
"  secure  the  blessings  of  liberty  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  do  ordain  and 
**  establish  this  constitution  for  the  United  States  of  America. "  is  the  base  stone 
upon  which  our  republican  form  of  government  was  reared,  and  has  been 
perpetuated. 

To  insure  the  faithful  implanting  and  exercise  of  such  constitutional  provis- 
ions, George  Washington,  "  the  father  of  his  country"  was  selected  and 
inaugurated  first  President  of  these  United  States,  on  the  30th  of  April,  I/.S9, 
while  standing  on  the  balcony  in  front  of  the  Senate  Chamber,  in  the  Old  Court 
House  in  Wall  Street,  fronting  Broad  Street,  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Sub- 
Treasury,  in  full  view  of  the  multitude  on  the  streets,  roofs  and  in  the  windows 
of  neighboring  buildings.  The  balcony  where  Washington  stood  was  supported 
by  lofty  columns,  and  upon  the  conclusion  of  the  reading  of  the  oath  of  office, 
Washington,  with  his  hand  resting  upon  the  Bible,  audibly  responded,  "  I  swear, 
so  help  me  God."  This  declaration  was  the  signal  for,  "  l  ong  live  George 
Washington,  President  of  the  United  States."  A  flag  was  hoisted  amid  the 
plaudits  of  the  people,  and  the  boom  of  cannon.  Thus  began  the  life  of  a 
government  which  to-day  has  no  equal  on  earth. 


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